Author Archives: David Berkowitz, Editor in Chief.

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Huawei Ascend Mate 2 not one of the big guys, but a big phone hits the US Market.

We recently had the opportunity to test and review the incredible Huawei Asendmate 2.

Huawei has been trying to gain a foot hold in the US market and now with this phone and the direct to consumer sales approach they may have a chance.

I had the opportunity to test it for about 6 weeks as my daily driver. I was impressed with the phone overall.

I liked:

–>The battery life was excellent

–>The screen quality was really decent

–>The design was quite nice.

What could be better:

–>The launcher needs and app drawer, I resolved the issue by using go launcher’s launcher instead.

—>The sound quality was decent but could have been better.

An image of the phone

It reminds of the Samsung Galaxy Mega, however the Ascendmate 2 uses a 1.8ghz quad core, and it has an impressive 4000 mah battery and 2gb of video ram.

It seems now a days, very-large phones have become so everpreset that giant phones are becoming common place. Personally I like them and this phone very much and part of the reason why is the size. The Ascend Mate 2 is over 6″ in seems, but it seems thin and comfortable in my hands. I am 6 foot 2″ tall and like the large design. To put that in perspective, the Ascend Mate 2 is both taller and wider than even a Galaxy Note 3 or 4.

It seems Huawei wanted to make a big impression here in the the US market. Since I am nearly 46 years old and I have less than average vision, so the larger screen size is quite nice. I liked that I can read Kindle Books on it without squinting and watching video on it as well as web browsing is great as well.

Huawei Ascend Mate 2 4G

More speed, more performance

4G LTE forlightning-fast downloads

Imagine the possibilities of a smartphone that opens the door to ultra-fast 4G LTE, giving you the chance to experience even more. Stream your favorite movies or shows without interruption, connect and chat with your family and friends via seamless video streaming, load web pages without waiting and enjoy a world where everything you do with your smartphone is faster, smoother, and better.

 

I had no issues with the phone and its’ performance using wifi and on AT&T and Crickets Networks.  I was very impressed with it. I was sad to have to send the demo phone back to Huawei. I really  liked it a great deal.

The Mate2 4G’s range of image enhancement technologies and advanced HD 13 megapixel rear camera means you can take amazing photos with every shot. Capture the moments that mean the most to you and enjoy extraordinary detail and life-like color with every single frame. All you need to do is point and tap, your Mate2 4G will take care of the rest.

I liked the camera and found it’s quality to be darn decent, and no worse than other phones that I had tested in the past like the Samsung Galaxy note too, and the HTC M7. It does not quite match up to all of the competition but is  quote decent.
The stock launcher is the emotion UI that like the Miui launcher that is prevalent in Asia lacks the app drawer commonly seen in phones in North America, though it was not hard to get used to it, I wound up using the Go Launcher instead off and on. It does have a more Iphone like feel than the typical android phone.
The demo phone that I was testing but from what I have heard and seen it ought to support Kitkat and Lollypop at some point soon.  When that happens the already decent phone could even better.
Here is an image from Huawei’s site showing the easy mode that the phone offers. It would be great for basic users or young folks.
The phone has a nice glove mode for people who live in cold climates and need use it with gloves on and it also has a nice one handed mode for those folks who want to use the phone with one hand. I found that both these modes were well implemented.
If you are interested in the phone it can be obtained here :

http://www.amazon.com/Huawei-Ascend-Mate2-Smart-Phone/dp/B00JPIAGW0

It does have cool windows on windows mode a sort of floating windows or widget over window feature that is kind of like the calculator in Mac OS:

In summary I was really impressed by the phone and would recommend it to anyone who needs a larger phone or a more affordable alternative to Samsung’s Note phones. The Samsung Galaxy Notes are smaller but have more features however for the money the Huawei Ascendmate 2 is a great phone for a super price.It is unmatched for what it brings to the table for the money.

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ZTE Grand X Max preview and amazing intro video!

We have not had the opportunity to review the ZTE Grand X Max, but so far from what I have heard and seen from other reviewers it seems quite nice for its’ price and value.

An image of the device–>

Here is an amazingly nice video of it from Youtube!

Watch this video on YouTube.

>We would love to formally test and review it as well its’ sister device the Zmax.

Personally I am 6′ 2″ tall, have large hands and like larger phone. In addition I am 45 years old and my eyes are not as good as they used to be so the bigger screens are easier to see and read.

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NEWERTECH WIRELESS NUMERIC ALUMINUM KEYPAD WINS TECHNOLOGYX GOLD SEAL OF APPROVAL AWARD

We recently tested this keyboard and were quite impressed by its’ design, how well it worked. It was a stroke of genius and a well needed accessory for anyone that needs a numeric keyboard for a mac with one of the small aluminum mac keyboards!

http://www.thomas-pr.com/newertech/newertechtechnologyxawardrelease.html

TechnologyX Calls NewerTech Numeric Keypad “Functionality at its Finest”

NewerTech Wireless Aluminum Keypad with Apple Keyboard

We are fans if Newertech and have been impressed with them for a very long time–>

NewerTech Logo

 

Numeric Keypad for Bluetooth Enabled Macs, Tablets & Smartphones
Ultimate Companion to Apple Wireless Keyboard — Attaches with Included Bracket
No Tools Needed — Easily Pairs through Bluetooth

Woodstock, IL, November 19, 2014 — NewerTech www.newertech.com, a leading performance upgrades and accessories company for Macs, PCs, iPhones, iPads, and iPods since 1988, announced today that the NewerTech Wireless Aluminum Keypad has won the TechnologyX Gold Seal of Approval Award at: http://www.technologyx.com/featured/newertech-wireless-aluminum-keypad-review/. Designed to complement the look and feel of Apple keyboards, the NewerTech numeric keypad features precision machined aluminum housing, white or black key choices, and a bracket that attaches to the Apple keyboard – no tools needed. The NewerTech Numeric Keypad was built to rigorous standards with input from accountants to get every detail of the full-sized 28-key numeric keypad just right, including key-throw, feel, design, size, and connectivity for maximum number crunching workflow excellence.

“Truly a Remarkable Accessory” – TechnologyX

“The wireless keypad with its precision aluminum housing looks, feels and handles just like the provided Apple Wireless Keyboard, which is incredible. We have handled other numeric keypads previously at various events, but nothing even compares to the NewerTech Keypad, it actually feels like it should tag along with Apple’s Keyboard!” said Chris Jolliffe, TechnologyX.com. “The NewerTech Wireless Aluminum Keypad is truly a remarkable accessory for your new iMac or any computer for that matter. It is sleek, gorgeous and functional. Really, what more could you want? It truly is the ultimate companion to any Apple Wireless Keyboard. It’s for their ingenious design and functionality that we award NewerTech with our Gold Seal of Approval!”

The NewerTech Wireless Aluminum Keypad works with all Bluetooth compatible computers, laptops and devices for the ultimate easy-to-pair Bluetooth workhorse that’s built to last. Bluetooth pairing is quick and reliable, reconnecting automatically when the computer or device is awakened or restarted. The NewerTech Keypad is perfect for financial professionals, including accountants and analysts, as well as students, teachers, administrators, traders, agents, videographers, programmers, salespeople, and more. The responsive full-sized keys assist with accuracy and efficiency. Use this keypad with number intensive financial programs and graphics software and apps to take advantage of shortcuts that are not as easily accessible when using the Apple wireless keyboard alone.

“We are honored to be awarded the TechnologyX Gold Seal of Approval for our Wireless Aluminum Keypad,” said Larry O’Connor, CEO, NewerTech. “We made it our mission to create a reliable wireless keypad that’s built to the highest standards and functions the way we expect numeric keypads to work and complements the wireless keyboards offered by Apple. Professionals now have a high-quality wireless keypad to enhance their number crunching workflow.”
Pricing and Availability

The NewerTech Wireless Aluminum Keypad with white or black keys is available immediately priced at $54.95 and through OWC at: http://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/KPA28BTW/, and other major retailers. It includes the Wireless Aluminum Keypad, 2 AAA batteries, and bracket to attach to Mac keyboards. For more info, see www.newertech.com, www.newertech.com/keypad, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewerTech, and Twitter: @NewerTech.

About NewerTech, Inc.

NewerTech Inc., headquartered in Woodstock, Illinois, is a leading performance upgrades and accessories company for Macs, PCs, iPhones, iPads, and iPods. Dealer inquiries are welcomed at (815) 308-7001 or by e-mailing sales@newertech.com, website: www.newertech.com.

Other NewerTech’s Industry Awards Include:
•CustomerRetailer EXC!TE Award (2012)
•American Business Award “People’s Choice” Stevie® Award (2012)
•Parent Tested Parent Approved (PTPA) Seal of Approval
•American Business Awards “Stevie” Gold (2013) and Silver (2014)
•Handyman Club of America Seal of Approval

About TechnologyX

TechnologyX is the newest addition to Essentially Tech Media Corporation’s fold and is partnered with The SSD Review. TechnologyX is envisioned as an ‘all technology’ review expansion for The SSD Review, in response to the growing interest of manufacturers to examine their products. For more information, see www.technologyx.com.

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Legends Soccer Autism Fundraiser

Las-Vegas-Legends

tnzimage

and FEAT_20Logo_webphone_1_.2.3.1

We are partnering with the folks at Legends soccer and Featsonv.org to do an autism fundraiser.

If you use following link and enter A4A as the coupon code Featsonv and Arts4autism(Technewszone.com) receive 20% of the ticket price to help us to get our 501c3 and help autism too.


First you go to this link: http://ev2.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/EVExecMacro?linkID=coast&evm=prmo&RSRC=&RDAT=&caller=PR

Then you enter promo code A4A It is valid for any game of the season!!

If we sell at least 100 tickets we will have a halftime fundraising event on the 2nd of December at their Las Vegas home game!!

Please tell all and share as well!!

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Crystallize – Lindsey Stirling (Dubstep Violin Original Song)

We saw Lindey Stirling at Mix 94.1’s bit of Las Vegas September of 2014. She has the most awesome techno-violin music!!

Watch this video on YouTube.

I have always love violin and electronic music and this music is a synthesis of both.

Watch this video on YouTube.

Lindsey if you can help us to help autism via the arts and music that would be awesome!

We are huge fans!!

keep-calm-and-listen-to-lindsey-stirling-27

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Please like us on Facebook, twitter, and Youtube!!

Please like us on Facebook too!!
http://www.facebook.com/itechnewszone

We are @itechnewszone on Twitter!

We are also http://www.youtube.com/technewszone

Please share, tell all, we are to get known as a blog.

We talk tech and are trying to advocate for autism too.

I am an aspie tech blogger and father of 3 with autism too!

We do news and reviews of tech, movies and other interesting news too!

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Sharp’s First AQUOS Smartphone comes to the U.S.

I have always been impressed by Sharp’s products. They now have an exciting new phone. In the past Sharp has been known for making other companies panels, and the glass behind many major products. Now they have launched exciting new phones of their own!

B-W

DSC_7691

We have not had the opportunity to review the product but Pocketnow did a really nice review as seen below–>

There does not seem to be anything like it and it is innovative.

We are very interested in reviewing it.

Watch this video on YouTube.

and another exciting review–>

Watch this video on YouTube.

Here is Sprint’s Press Release!!

Sharp’s First AQUOS Smartphone comes to the U.S. –
Sharp AQUOS Crystal arriving exclusively at Sprint, Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile

NEW YORK – Aug. 19, 2014 – Sharp selected Sprint (NYSE:S) to launch its first AQUOS wireless phone available in the United States, Sharp AQUOS® Crystal.

This launch marks a monumental step in the Sprint and SoftBank merger by bringing this device to SoftBank in Japan and Sprint and its prepaid brands, Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile USA, as the exclusive U.S. carriers for this groundbreaking device.

AQUOS Crystal breaks the mold of traditional smartphone design. From its stunning picture quality and immersive, vibrant display to its sleek, 5-inch edge-to-edge HD screen, AQUOS Crystal revolutionizes the mobile phone experience. The chic, compact exterior houses a smartphone powered by Android 4.4.2 KitKat and supported by the ultra-fast Sprint Spark network. Showcasing incredible audio with Harman Kardon® technologies and HD voice, and a camera that can make any amateur look like a pro, AQUOS Crystal is truly technology without bounds.

Sprint will offer AQUOS Crystal in two color options (black or white). With Sprint Easy Pay, well-qualified buyers can purchase AQUOS Crystal with $0 down (plus tax) and 24 monthly payments of $101 (service plan is required). Customers can visit www.sprint.com/sharp for more information. Sharp AQUOS Crystal will be available in black at www.virginmobileusa.com and in white at www.BoostMobile.com, both for $149.99 (plus tax). Exact availability will be announced at a later date.

“The combined power of SoftBank and Sprint will bring our customers this high-end device for an extraordinarily value,” said David Owens, senior vice president-Product Development for Sprint. “We are thrilled to welcome Sharp to the U.S. wireless market. AQUOS Crystal will quickly become a must-have smartphone, showcasing Sharp’s strength in display technology.”

In addition, AQUOS Crystal boasts Harman’s Clari-Fi™ technology with the ability to restore and “rebuild” music fidelity lost during audio compression. Clari-Fi yields richer, deeper and clearer sound quality for compressed digital music (like MP3 downloads or streaming services such as Spotify®). The Clari-Fi experience includes low and high frequency extension, improved realism and fidelity, and wider sound stage.

Additional key features include:
Harman’s LiveStage™ provides a more lifelike headphone listening experience by adding dimension to the sound
Clari-Fi™ technology improves digital sound quality by restoring all types of compressed digital music
Clip Now, which takes screenshots with one swipe and saves them with an embedded URL for easy sharing
8MP rear-facing and 1.2MP front-facing cameras
Crystal clear HD Voice
Embedded 2,040mAh battery
1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1.5GB (RAM) and 8GB (ROM)

“U.S. consumers have long trusted the Sharp AQUOS brand to deliver exceptional picture quality. We are thrilled to introduce the first smartphone from Sharp’s groundbreaking AQUOS line of devices to be available in the U.S., with the launch of the AQUOS Crystal Smartphone in the U.S. and Japan,” said Yoshisuke Hasegawa, Executive Managing Officer of Sharp Corporation. “The already successful AQUOS brand is taking another step forward among U.S. consumers by adding the Crystal smartphone, which marries innovative technology with a vibrant display, as customers have come to expect from Sharp AQUOS products. The AQUOS Crystal offers exclusive features and leading technologies, all incorporated in a beautiful edge-to-edge design.”

“App All You Want” with App Pass
Exclusive to Sprint in the U.S., App Pass is a subscription service that allows customers to access a hand-selected catalog of premium apps and games for $4.99 per month – after a 14-day free trial. App Pass offers unlimited access to these apps and games across two devices, and additionally, customers are given a $5 credit each month to spend on in-app purchases.

“Many customers find value in premium apps, but hesitate to make the purchase without knowing more about the app,” said Wayne Ward, vice president-business and product development at Sprint. “With App Pass, Sprint makes it easier for our customers to ‘app all you want’ with a curated list of popular premium apps.”

App Pass will host a curated selection of apps and mobile games from some of the world’s top developers including Gameloft and Oceanhouse Media. Select titles from other developers include OfficeSuite 7 Pro, Camera Zoom FX, Minuum Keyboard, CamScanner and Color & Draw for Kids.

App Pass, powered by Mobiroo, which develops and manages app subscription platforms globally, will be pre-installed on all new Sprint Android devices beginning Aug. 29. App Pass can also be found under the “Apps” tab of the Sprint Zone app, on supported devices, for current Sprint customers using an Android phone. After the launch on Aug. 29, Sprint customers can visit www.sprint.com/apppass to learn more and download the app. New apps and games will be regularly added to the storefront.

To receive the 14-day free trial, customers will need to open the App Pass app and then register by tapping on the menu button, then selecting ‘My Account,’ tapping on the ‘Sign up now’ button on the Featured page or tapping on the ‘download’ button on an App Details page. App Pass will not be available on prepaid devices.

Great Value for Prepaid or Postpaid
By bringing AQUOS Crystal to Sprint, Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile, customers have the choice of how they wish to finance their wireless experience with each brand offering its own unique benefits:
POSTPAID (Sprint)
It’s a new day for data in the wireless industry with the announcement of Sprint’s new Sprint Family Share Pack – a new shared-data plan that offers double the high-speed data at a lower price than AT&T and Verizon Wireless. The Sprint Family Share Pack, offering double the high-speed shareable data2 for smartphones, basic phones, tablets and mobile broadband devices, will be available starting Aug. 22. To kick off Sprint’s “new day for data” campaign, Sprint is offering a limited-time promotion for the Sprint Family Share Pack: For a family with up to 10 lines, get 20GB of Shared Data and Unlimited Talk & Text for only $100 a month through 20153 – and, as an added bonus, customers will get an additional 2GB per line for up to 10 lines.

NO CONTRACT
Virgin Mobile USA’s smartphones can be paired with Virgin Mobile USA’s Beyond Talk™ No Contract plans with unlimited data4, and available 4G LTE data speeds5 for mobile phone service, including Android™-powered smartphones. Virgin Mobile Beyond Talk monthly unlimited data and messaging plans, which start at $35, are ideal for those smartphone users hungry for the most connectivity and the least amount of voice minutes.
Boost’s Monthly Unlimited Select plans offer value-conscious consumers three easy-to-understand plans that all include unlimited talk, text and data.6 Each plan offers different data usage thresholds to help address the varying data needs of consumers.

The Speed of Sprint Spark
Sprint Spark provides the capacity to greatly improve the performance of video and other bandwidth-intensive applications while opening the way for futuristic applications. Sprint Spark is designed to support a new generation of online gaming, virtual reality, advanced cloud services and other applications requiring very high bandwidth.

Available today in 27 markets across the country, Sprint Spark is an enhanced LTE service that’s built for data and designed to deliver average wireless speeds of 6-15Mbps and peak wireless speeds of 50-60Mbps today on capable devices, with increasing speed potential over time. Sprint plans to reach 100 million Americans by year-end with the service.

About Sprint
Sprint (NYSE: S) is a communications services company that creates more and better ways to connect its customers to the things they care about most. Sprint served more than 54 million customers as of June 30, 2014, and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; leading no-contract brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The American Customer Satisfaction Index rated Sprint as the most improved U.S. company in customer satisfaction, across all 43 industries, over the last six years. Sprint has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) North America in 2011, 2012 and 2013. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

About Virgin Mobile USA
Virgin Mobile USA offers millions of customers control, flexibility and connectivity through its Beyond Talk™ plans for data-hungry customers, Virgin Mobile Custom™, for the ultimate in personalized plans and parental control; and for prepaid Broadband2Go high-speed Web access on the Nationwide Sprint 4G LTE Network, all available without being tied to a long-term subscription contract. Virgin Mobile-branded devices are available at more than 40,000 retail stores, including Best Buy, RadioShack, Target and Walmart. Top-Up cards are available at approximately 150,000 locations nationwide. Experience Virgin Mobile on the Web at Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, and purchase Virgin Mobile USA products at www.virginmobileusa.com. For more news, click here.

About Boost Mobile –
Boost Mobile offers wireless phones and services with no long-term contracts and national service on the Nationwide Sprint Network, reaching more than 279 million people, with no activation or long-distance fees. Boost Mobile offers a selection of quality handsets from HTC, Kyocera, LG, Motorola and Samsung, including Android™ smartphone devices available nationwide at nearly 20,000 major retail stores, including Best Buy, Kmart-Sears, RadioShack, Target, Family Dollar, Walgreens and Walmart, independent wireless dealer locations, and on HSN, a leading TV home shopping network. Re-Boost® Cards are available at approximately 100,000 locations throughout the United States. Experience Boost Mobile on the Web at Facebook and Twitter; and purchase products at www.boostmobile.com.

About Sharp Corporation
Sharp Corporation is a worldwide developer of innovative products and core technologies that play a key role in shaping the future of electronics. Not only being a leading Android device manufacturer in Japan, but as a leader in liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and digital technologies, Sharp offers one of the broadest and most advanced lines of consumer electronics, information products and electronic components, while also creating new network businesses. Sharp Corporation employs 50,253 people in the world (as of March 31, 2014) and recorded consolidated annual sales of 2,927,186 million yen for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014. For more information, please visit Sharp’s Web site at http://sharp-world.com/index.html.

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BEBOP SENSORS LAUNCH WEARABLE SMART FABRIC TECHNOLOGY

 BeBop Sensor Arm Controller small

BEBOP SENSORS LAUNCH WEARABLE SMART FABRIC TECHNOLOGY —
First Thin Smart Fabric Sensors to Measure All Aspects of Physicality:
Force, Location, Size, Twist, Bend, Stretch & Motion

Patented Monolithic Fabric Sensors Let You Answer Calls from a Shirt, Predict Diabetic Events & Measure Gait through Insoles, Show Hand/Foot Location on Gym Mats, &
Track Driver Alertness in Steering Wheels

For Clothing, Shoes, & Gear for Sports, Medical, Gaming, Robotics, Aerospace, & Security
Applications Include Controllers, Measurement, Monitoring, 3D Modeling, & More 

Berkeley, CA, October 27, 2014 – BeBop Sensors, Inc. www.bebopsensors.com, the wearable sensor technology company created by musical instrument inventor Keith McMillen and KMI, announced today their first products, BeBop Wearable Smart Fabric Sensor, the first and only ultra thin wearable smart fabric sensor that measures all aspects of physicality, including bend, location, motion, rotation, angle, & torque.  Employing BeBop’s patented proprietary Monolithic Fabric Sensor Technology, BeBop fabric sensors continuously provide real-time reporting on force, x/y location, bend, twist, size, stretch and motion for markets, including clothing and protective wear, shoes, healthcare devices, athletic equipment, automotive, robotics, aerospace, gaming, biometrics, prosthetics, recycling monitors and appliance markets. 

Smart Fabric Sensor Solutions Provide 3D Maps of Data  

Unlike other wearable sensors on the market today that only measure physiology (EKG, EMG), electrical conductivity or breathing, BeBop measures actual physicality to sense and display 3D maps of data.  Fundamental, tested, and extensible with over a million sensors already in daily use through KMI’s musical instrument products, BeBop’s Monolithic Fabric Sensors integrate sensors, traces, and electronics into a single piece of fabricto provide greater sensitivity, resolution, range of deployment, and robustness — all with a tiny size.

BeBop Elegant Smart Fabric Sensor Company for OEMs Spun Out from KMI Musical Instrument Innovator 

Created for the rapidly-growing wearable technology market, BeBop sensor technology was created after six years of developing smart fabric sensors for more expressive musical instruments, such as KMI’s popular QuNexus and QuNeo keyboards.  After being approached by numerous companies requesting KMI’s fabric sensor technology, KMI launched spin-off company BeBop Sensors to fulfill the demand.

BeBop’s variety of solutions available now for integration into new wearable products:

  • Wearable Controllers:  for sleeves of jackets or shirts to connect to smartphones to answer calls, adjust volume or select songs, all while the smartphone remains in the user’s pocket.
  • 1mm Thin Shoe Insoles:  measures gait, pressure, contact style, fit, and flexure of toes and feet.
  • Planar, spherical or cylindrical geometries:  used as pressure maps, head sensors or handles of athletic equipment.
  • Smart Yoga and Gym Mats:  show hand and foot pressure for teaching.
  • Grip Sensors:  detail finger positions for baseball, golf, etc.
  • Car Seat Sensors: senses airbag fill volume and passenger weight.
  • Car Steering Wheels:  sense driver alertness.
  • Weight Lifting Gloves:  indicate weight and even load.
  • Foot Volume Sensing:  anticipate Diabetic events.
  • Cycling Shoe Inserts: power meters.

BeBop Wearable Sensor Markets:       

  • Clothing and protective wear
  • Shoes
  • Healthcare devices
  • Athletic equipment
  • Automotive
  • Robotics
  • Aerospace
  • Security
  • Biometrics
  • Prosthetics
  • Recycling
  • Appliances

“BeBop is a natural step for KMI, where we have diligently tuned fabrics, geometries, and production processes allowing us to ship over 1 million sensors to some of the most demanding musicians in the world,” said Keith McMillen, Founder, KMI and BeBop Sensors.  “All musical instruments are essentially sensors with forms of acoustic processing attached.  The same care and creativity used to build our instruments will serve well for our non-musical customers as we expand into the wearables market.”

BeBop OEM Turnkey Offerings Now Available 

BeBop is now offering custom turnkey sensor solutions for OEMs to incorporate into their products, ranging from basic sensors to complete wireless solutions with advanced power management.  Visualization programs for any design with an easily-modified SDK (Software Developer’s Kit) allows manufacturers to create custom apps by choosing from a variety of 2D and 3D representations and colors or by driving the BeBop data into whole new applications.

“Good designs get the job done, great designs strive for an elegance and simplicity that will make the integration of wearable computing a seamless part of everyday life,” said McMillen.  When McMillen created a foot controller allowing disabled people complete control of a computer, Forbes reported: “In 1984, Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs made the computer mouse mainstream. In 2010, Microsoft introduced the Kinect, allowing computer gamers to control video games by moving their bodies. And on June 21, 2011, Keith McMillen Instruments introduced a gadget that lets you use your computer with your feet.”

About BeBop Sensors 

BeBop uses smart fabrics to create elegant sensor solutions for OEMs with its patented technology.  Where things or people interact, Bebop sensors comprehend force, location, size, weight, shape and presence across any size, resolution and geometry.  BeBop technology is robust and proven with over a million sensors already in daily use.   Based in Berkeley, California, BeBop Sensors make things knowable for product designers and visionaries. See demonstrations at the BeBop Sensors website.

About Keith McMillen Instruments (KMI) 

Based in Berkeley, California, Keith McMillen Instruments (KMI) is a leading developer of innovative hardware and software technologies that allow musicians to interface with computers in exciting new ways with tools that add new dimensions of expression and control to their performances.  KMI believes when a computer is played as a musical instrument, it should feel and respond like one, with all the nuances and sensitivity that makes an instrument musical.  For more information, see the website:  www.keithmcmillen.com

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Press Contact:
Karen Thomas/Eva Yutani/Bill Kouwenhoven
Thomas PR Emails: kthomas@thomaspr.com , eyutani@thomaspr.com  bkouwen@thomas-pr.com
Website: www.thomaspr.com  www.thomas-pr.com

Photos:
BeBop Logo: http://www.thomas-pr.com/136/photos/beboplogo.html
BeBop Wearable Sensor & Controller with Smartphone: http://www.thomas-pr.com/136/photos/bebopsensorsmartphone.html
BeBop Sensor Arm Controller: http://www.thomas-pr.com/136/photos/bebopsensorarmcontroller.html
BeBop Sensor Baseball Base –  Safe: http://www.thomas-pr.com/136/photos/bebopsensorbaseball.html
BeBop Sensor Foot Pressure: http://www.thomas-pr.com/136/photos/bebopsensorfootpressure.html
BeBop Sensor Grip Sensor: http://www.thomas-pr.com/136/photos/bebopsensorgrip.html
BeBop Sensor Skullcap Bat Hit: http://www.thomas-pr.com/136/photos/bebopsensorskullcap.html

Videos:
Base:  http://youtu.be/R_-Z1Iz7Jho
Grip:  http://youtu.be/91JfTC9YPWo
Insole:  http://youtu.be/zhlQbatUo8g
Skullcap:  http://youtu.be/IeA3UQHrErA
Arm:  http://youtu.be/hQKr3mp1WK0